Politics & Government

Eatontown Prepares for Irene

The fire company was busy Thursday night and emergency services met today to coordinate for the weekend's storm.

With the threat of 60-to-80 mph winds and 5 to 10 inches of rain bearing down on Eatontown with the pending arrival of , officials and emergency crews are coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of all residing in the borough.

Members from the borough’s fire, police, office of emergency management, emergency medical services and department of public works along with school and government officials met Friday morning to coordinate efforts preparing for the storm.

“It was a good excuse to talk about the ‘What ifs’,” said Eatontown Mayor Gerald Tarantolo of the meeting.

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In conjunction with the Eatontown School District, the borough has designated three district schools as shelters in the event of evacuation, said Tarantolo, and Eatontown’s school buses and two municipal buses will be used to transport residents to the shelters. The designated schools are , and

If borough shelters lose power and residents need to be moved to the county shelters being set up at Wall, Colts Neck and Holmdel high schools, SCAT buses will provide transportation, said the mayor. The Chosen Board of Freeholders declared a state of emergency in Monmouth County on Thursday.

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According to the municipal Web site, the borough is also strongly recommending that residents register their cell phone numbers with the Borough's Code Red Emergency Call System to receive up to date information during the hurricane. To register, click here. 

A command post will be set up at the borough’s firehouse on Broad Street, said Tarantolo, to monitor effects of the storm and disperse information to residents.

Members of the Eatontown Fire Department were busy preparing Thursday night for the storm.

According to Eatontown Fire Chief Mike Johnson, his crew is preparing for a “worst case scenario” for the storm.

Many of the department’s approximately 30 volunteer members were on hand Thursday night to ensure fire vehicles were fueled and tuned up and smaller equipment was in “running condition,” said Johnson.

The department will be paying close attention to some of the borough’s floor-prone areas, like Eaton Crest Drive and White Street near the Eatonbrook Apartments, said the chief.

Tarantolo said that the borough drained 15 inches to prevent flooding in anticipation of heavy rainfall.


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